The jobs of three more employees at Miners Memorial Medical Center in Coaldale were eliminated last week in the board's latest attempt to save the financially strapped hospital.

Vice President Patricia Kaiser, Assistant Vice President Thomas O'Donnell and Community Relations Director Fran James were laid off as of Friday.

Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Johnson said the decision came out of the board of director's meeting last Tuesday at the suggestion of hospital President Gerald Neal.

According to Johnson, board members said "financial considerations" made the furloughs necessary. She said she does not know the employees' salaries or how much money the hospital will save with the move.

"They will continue to look at staffing levels and look at the levels in each department where it would not affect patient care," Johnson said.

Since December, 34 positions have been eliminated but hospital officials have repeatedly assured the public that patient care has not been affected.

Last month, board member Robert Ames said he didn't think more layoffs would be necessary.

Amid the cash-flow problems, Neal has tendered his resignation but will stay on until the board replaces him.

Neal's company, 21st Century Health Care Co., began managing the hospital in February 1992. The state previously owned the hospital, but it was losing millions of dollars.

A community group took over the hospital and hired Neal and his company to run it.

The three employees laid off last week were hired after Neal became president.

James, who worked part-time, was hired in August 1993.

O'Donnell started working at the hospital May 24, 1993. He was in charge of six departments.

Kaiser, who oversaw 12 departments, joined the hospital in November 1992.